Dates:
Weather:

Localities:

22 Jun - 3 Jul 2017.
Dry, bright and sunny with little cloud. Cool wind and pleasant temperatures along the coast, rising to a very hot 45°C inland.
Central California: Campbell mud flats, Baylands Reserve, Pigeon Point, Lodi Water Treatment Area and Del Valle Park.
Southeast Arizona: Nogales, California Gulch, Ruby, Mount Lemmon, Miller's Creek Trail, Greaterville Trail, Ash Canyon and Buckeye.
Northern California: Sierra Nevada and Sierra Valley.

22 Jun. Made use of the included breakfast before meeting up with Ken at 07:30, after which, as low tide, we headed straight to the mud flats close by San Francisco airport, hoping for Ridgway's Rail. No such luck however, though a number of breeding plumaged Willet and Long-billed Curlew were present. Moved on to Baylands Reserve near Palo Alto to find the tide still low enough for generous areas of mud to be viewable. A brief glimpse of a disappearing Ridgway's Rail by Ken wasn't the greatest start, especially as by 10:00 the tide returned to cover any remaining mud.

Next we headed south along coastal Highway 1, stopping to scan the ocean at various spots. Our target was Marbled Murrelet, that although breeding inland here, are never common, so it look several hours of scanning before we finally obtained reasonable views of a few flying by. Other species recorded in the process were Peregrine Falcon, Pigeon Guillemot, Black Oystercatcher, Common Murre and Caspian Tern. After a celebratory smoked chicken and beer dinner we moved inland to try for night birds, though had to endure a long wait till 21:00 for dusk at this time of year. Success in the form of a pair of Northern Saw-whet Owl, although trying to see them perched proved impossible. A late arrival at 23:30 at Campbell, with an overnight there.

23 Jun. A longish, two hour, drive to Lodi Water Treatment area where already becoming warm on arrival. A two kilometre walk in, followed by an hour on our knees trying to obtain views of a calling Black Rail - one of the highly sought after species on the list. Despite the bird being barely two metres away it took that long to actually see it. An ultimate skulker! Also in the area, Swainson's Hawk, Marsh Wren and American Goldfinch. With the midday temperatures hovering around 44°C, we spent the afternoon along Del Puerto Canyon in search of Northern Pygmy Owl and Lewis's Woodpecker. Despite a good stake out for the owl we failed to connect, probably on account of the excessive heat. Similarly the woodpecker gave us grief, and not found. Back to Campbell where we tried another spot for Northern Saw-whet Owl, but not even heard. Another late return to Campbell.

24 Jun. An excellent start to the day with a repeat visit to Baylands Reserve. This time, early morning, two Ridgway's Rail were out feeding. We then moved inland to Del Valle Park due to recent reports of Clark's Grebe. This also proved very successful with a single bird within the numerous Western Grebe present. The remainder of the day spent in another hot, fruitless search for Lewis's Woodpecker. Highlight of the afternoon was a couple of Bobcat and Cooper's Hawk. Late afternoon back to San Francisco to overnight with Mike and Lee.

Nuttall's Woodpecker

Black Oystercatcher

Southern Alligator Lizard

Clark's Grebe

Montezuma Quail

Red-tailed Hawk

As temperatures rose we headed to altitude at the top of Mount Lemmon where another target, Western Flycatcher, was fairly easily found. However, Virginia's Warbler gave us a good runaround before we finally obtained some decent views.

With still a few hours to spare before dark we tried adjacent mountains for Juniper Titmouse where, despite much effort, not found though again given the heat and conditions not that surprising. Returned to Mount Lemmon at dusk where Mexican Whip-poor-will and Elf Owl seen, but no trace of the desired Flammulated Owl. Back to Nogales around midnight.

Swainson's Hawk

Elf Owl

Curve-billed Thrasher

28 Jun. A day earmarked for Lucifer Hummingbird at Ash Canyon. Unfortunately, as a Wednesday, Ash Canyon not open till noon, so early morning was able to catch up on notes and photo processing. A 90 minute drive to Ash Canyon where spent the afternoon at the feeders. very strong sunlight in the middle of the day hardly made for decent photographic conditions, but a good number of species present included Black-chinned Hummingbird, Costa's Hummingbird, Anna's Hummingbird, Greater Roadrunner, Curve-billed Thrasher, Mexican Jay, Black-headed Grosbeak and Blue Grosbeak.

30 Jun. Left San Francisco with Mike and Lee, for the five hour drive to the Sierra Nevada, arriving late afternoon to cool temperatures, but searing sun at altitude. We started in the Sierraville area, hunting for Lewis's Woodpecker, that was spectacularly successful, running into a least three birds in our first hour of searching. Continued with a drive toward Yuba Pass, with two additional targets en route - Black-billed Magpie and Sage Thrasher as well as several Evening Grosbeak. By early evening we arrived at Bassetts and checked into the only accommodation.

Lewis's Woodpecker

We then headed to one of the many campsites where Black-backed Woodpecker had been reported recently. Amazingly we lucked upon a likely nest hole, and after a 40 minute wait were rewarded with a female Black-backed Woodpecker appearing to feed young. In the next hour this bird made repeated visits, but not the male. A mid afternoon siesta, then out again, descending into the valley between the ranges. This provided a wide range of species, as well as the excellent light some great photo opportunities. The pick of the bunch probably going to Sandhill Crane, Horned Lark, Yellow-headed Blackbird and Brewer's Sparrow. On the return drive several Common Nighthawk along the road.

2 Jul. Left just after dawn and drove north for around an hour to try several spots, in the middle of nowhere, for Juniper Titmouse and Sagebrush Sparrow. Despite good looking habitat and a whole heap of Black-tailed Jackrabbit, no luck at our first sparrow spot. A further 20 minute drive located even better habitat where, after an hour walking around, a single Sagebrush Sparrow, in addition to several Lark Sparrow and a single Loggerhead Shrike found. At our third stop, we hadn't been out of the vehicle three minutes before a group of at least six Juniper Titmouse discovered. What a contrast to the day of slogging in Arizona, and a welcome addition to the list. Returned through the sierra valley, with several Black-billed Magpie. Late afternoon we again revisited the wetter areas of the valley as yesterday afternoon, with several additional species; American Bittern, Virginia Rail, American Barn Owl, Great Horned Owl and Vesper Sparrow.

3 Jul. A final try for Mountain Quail on various back roads, but again only one distant bird heard. A five hour return drive to San Francisco, in order to prepare for our Peru departure.

Sincere thanks to the Ken, Lee, Mike and Richard for their time and effort in making this trip so enjoyable and successful.

Black-backed Woodpecker

American Cliff Swallow

Western Tanager